The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) celebrated a key milestone with the inauguration of its newly modernized International Vegetable Genebank, marking a significant leap in preserving critical vegetable genetic resources for the future.
The inauguration ceremony, held at WorldVeg’s newly opened research building in Taiwan, was attended by prominent figures, including Taiwan’s Minister of Agriculture, Chen Junne-jih, and Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust (Crop Trust). Other notable guests included representatives from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, agricultural research institutions, and leaders from the private sector, as well as distinguished delegates from South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Eswatini.
During the event, Taiwan’s Minister of Agriculture emphasized the vital role of the modernization effort in bolstering global food security and sustainable agriculture. “The modernization of the International Vegetable Genebank reflects Taiwan’s dedication to strengthening food systems worldwide. By preserving and sharing essential vegetable genetic resources, we empower future generations to address challenges such as climate change, enhance nutrition, and build resilient agricultural systems,” said Minister Chen.
Stefan Schmitz also highlighted the genebank’s critical role in safeguarding vegetable diversity, noting, “The International Vegetable Genebank is central to securing the future of vegetable genetic resources. With this upgrade, WorldVeg is ensuring that these invaluable assets remain available to breeders, scientists, and farmers, who rely on them to develop climate-resilient, productive food systems.”
The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a guided tour of the enhanced genebank facilities, where guests had the opportunity to learn about WorldVeg’s latest advancements in crop genetic resource conservation and its ongoing efforts to address global food security challenges.
A Legacy of Preserving Genetic Diversity for Future Generations
The importance of the WorldVeg genebank cannot be overstated. With over 55,000 seed accessions from 330 vegetable species originating from 155 countries, the genebank serves as a global treasure trove of genetic diversity. Additionally, WorldVeg’s Africa Vegetable Genebank, located in Tanzania, holds a collection of 6,000 seed accessions of indigenous African vegetables, further solidifying its position as the largest vegetable genetic resource collection in the world.
For over five decades, the WorldVeg genebank has been a key contributor to agricultural innovation and food security, distributing more than 700,000 seed samples to researchers, breeders, and farmers across more than 200 countries. These efforts have led to the development of hundreds of new vegetable varieties, contributing significantly to agricultural progress, enhanced nutrition, and improved livelihoods globally.
By modernizing this essential facility, WorldVeg is not only preserving valuable genetic material but also ensuring that these resources remain accessible to those who need them most to build sustainable and resilient food systems in the face of an increasingly uncertain climate.
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